On 3rd September, US Vice President Mike Pence, during his visit to Ireland, made irresponsible and groundless accusation against China and Chinese enterprises on cybersecurity and 5G. We would like to make some comments on Mr. Pence’s rhetoric.

Mr. Pence made one-sided and wrong interpretation on Chinese laws out of context and claimed that "Chinese telecommunications companies are required by Chinese law to give their government access to any data that they acquire". The fact is that, as in many countries including the US, Chinese law requires individuals and organizations to coordinate to protect national security. Meanwhile, Chinese laws also stipulates the obligations that related works should be carried out according to law, respect and protect human rights, and uphold the lawful rights and interests of individuals and organizations, including data security and privacy right. Chinese government has never asked any Chinese company to collect or provide data, information or intelligence from any country by installing a backdoor or any other means.

Mr. Pence also said that "there’s no place for untrusted vendors anywhere in our secure 5G supply chain". But the question is who should be untrusted? We believe Mr. Pence knows PRISM surveillance program better than us. Since Mr. Pence said he is a pious Christian, we hope he should have read the following paragraph of the Bible: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, `Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Huawei is an open-minded company and has publicly expressed its willingness to communicate with the US government about the measurements to ensure security of its products. Huawei also stated it is willing to sign 'no surveillance' and 'no spy' agreements with customers around the world. However, in order to undermine Huawei's business and obtain information from Huawei, the US has searched, detained or even arrested Huawei employees or partners in an improper manner, or has interviewed and conducted investigations through FBI. These facts raise the question that what is the credibility of US government?

Mr. Pence also tried to lobby other countries "to find 5G alternatives to Huawei". This is purely provoking dissension. Huawei operates legally in many countries, providing reliable, secured and cost-effective communication services and products to those countires, including Ireland. Huawei employs more than 150 local employees and has made positive contributions to the Irish economy. Recently, Huawei has moved its European mobile software service center to Ireland and announced it will invest an additional 70 million euro in Ireland to expand its R&D activities. This fully demonstrates Huawei's confidence in the potential and prospects of the Irish market and the open, fair and non-discriminatory business environment in Ireland. We believe that our Irish friends can make objective and independent judgments between right and wrong.

Cybersecurity is a global issue. No single country or group can guarantee the construction of information security protection network. Similarly, 5G is about the future of global communication technology, and it cannot be monopolized by a specific country or company single-handedly. On the issue of cybersecurity and 5G, only by respecting each other, strengthening cooperation, and cooperating with innovation, can we step on the pace of the scientific and technological revolution, achieve common security, and share prosperity and progress.